Team 'Ohana--No One Left Behind: The Continuing Adventures

[princessbride6205]

I'm finally back to "normal" again today too. I had a great weekend

Nicole: It was great to meet you in person. I'm glad you had fun with your first race-- may it be the first of many.

It was great to meet you, too! I'm definitely hooked. Need to sign up for the Minneapolis half in June. Trying to decide if I'm going to do a January race at Disney or not...

HI Cousins... Remember me???? Oh I sure hope so!!!! So to sum it up (if you aren't my friend on Facebook)... Baby was born a week late on January 14. We named her Laurel Elizabeth and she is just a doll!!! I have been keeping really busy with her and of course still able to work out of my home (yah!).

BUT.. I wanted to finally post and catch up with all my cousins because.... Yesterday I r/w my first "long run". It was only a 3 mile LR... but it was HUGE for me after being PG for 9 months. AND, it went so much smoother than I thought it would. I am training for the Minneapolis 1/2 marathon the first weekend in June. THEN... Oh yes THEN... I start training for WDW 2011. I think (pretty sure on this) I will be doing the 1/2 marathon this year and then decide to tackle the full marathon again. I don't think this body is ready to jump into full training yet.

I really need to catch up. If any Cousins are on Facebook and want to friend me to see pictures of Laurel, I am Jennifer Martens Loucks. Look me up!!

Welcome back! Congrats on your baby girl AND your first post-baby LR!

Princess went well, but can I say I am completely over these cold weather races? When we got in the van on Sunday, the thermometer said 44, but by the time we got to EPCOT, it said 38. That's just not possible for March...really! At least there wasn't any sleet this time.

But it ended up ok. DD17 ran also...this time she actually did two training runs to prepare for the race, one as long as 4 miles She also had a cold but seemed to do okay. She said her chest was tight around mile 3 so we slowed a bit. She crashed around mile 9, hung in there til 10, but we walked it from there.
She wants to do the Beaches race with me on the 21st, but I'm pulling a mom and saying no...not 2 halfs in 2 weeks on no training. I don't necessarily want to be 17 again, but it would be nice to be able to toss out a half whenever I feel like it

Nicole...sorry about the sickness you came home to. It was great meeting you!

It was really cool hanging out with Ohana on Sat. Congrats to everyone who set PRs this weekend!

It was cool meeting you, too! I would have been happy with a few degrees warmer, myself.

I'm slowly trying to adjust back to real life after returning home from the Princess race. I had a great time and it was nice to see so many of you there.

Nicole - It was nice meeting you this weekend. I'm glad that you enjoyed your first half marathon. I'm sorry that you came home to sickness. Hope DH is feeling better soon.

It was nice meeting you, too. I really liked going to tea.
DH is all better now - glad that was quick - fingers crossed we don't get it!

 

[Jen117]

Nicole - We are having a mini-WISH meet in Minneapolis during the 1/2 marathon. It Corrina does it we can have a mini-Ohana meet also!!!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Jen -- Congratulations on your new little Princess! It sounds like she's fitting into your family perfectly!

Maria

 

[corinnak]

Hi Everyone!

Minneapolis Half Marathon - I am registered for the Minneapolis Half already. I am also planning on doing the Burnsville Heart of the City Half Marathon the day before so I can be a Saturn Level Half Fanatic. I plan on taking both races relatively easy! Is there a Mpls 1/2 thread on here already? Should I start one?

Jungle Fever tights - I don't say they are the Ohana Uniform exactly - I think Mel, Richard and I are the only ones that got them - we ordered them from Runningfunky.com, but unfortunately, they were clearance fabric. I am not sure they'd be able to get any more. We probably should have gone with the Green Zebra instead as that seems to be a regular staple fabric.

Kathy - I was pretty lucky in the photo department, both in how they turned out and in the fact that they didn't cost me my PR. It could have gone the other way, but I decided that ultimately the photos were worth more to me than a number. Which is not to say I didn't push it hard when I wasn't posing - I did!

Mel - I am also over the cold weather races....actually, I'm not - I have another one this Saturday, but I am definitely over the ones that require waiting around for 2 hours outside in the middle of the night! I can not believe that your DD wants to do another half this weekend!!

Jen - I can't believe that giving a baby a binkie is the qualifying characteristic of a "bad mom" - I know you're a great mom and doing what works for you and your DD is right in line with that!

I have so many race photos - too many to post here. I've put them up on FB and would be glad to send a public link to anyone whether or not you're on FB if you send me a PM. I will post a couple, though. In a separate post, I think!

 

[corinnak]

So I've got a few photos to share. These are the ones most relevant to Ohana:

Before the 5K, I only found one WISHer - it was Stacy from the Princess thread. She was also waiting in line for a picture with Tiana, and after that, I never saw her again!

Corinna, Warrior Princess meets Tiana, Frog Princess. Don't get too attached to the WISH green aerobie - I did not have it well secured and it was gone before mile 1:

Meeting up with Goofy and Pluto toward the end of the character strewn 5K course. They were every 20 feet or so for a while there:

One of the many photos taken by DOOD at the Poly Ohana meet:

In a effort to get a more interesting group photo at the POR meet, when my camera was up I said "OK, everyone, put up your hands!" I like it!

On to the Marathon!

Here I am in Corral A, also know, as Fonzie would say, as "Corral Ayyyyy"

A little while later, I found these two in what seemed to be WISH uniform! This is the part where I stopped racing and started posing in earnest.

Of course I stopped for a photo with Debra! It was so great that she and DOOD were out there that morning!

And now, my browser is sluggish, I need to pst this before it crashes. More to follow...

 

[corinnak]

OK, just a FEW more.

No tiara for me (I was one of 6 who didn't wear one, I think), but I might have Blingified my WISH Visor a bit:

Me and Mel with our Jungle trousers:

Me and Jen:

Not sure how I managed not to get a post-finish-line photo with Nicole...but later we did have WISH-Green Welsh Dragons from the Rose & Crown:

And after that, we saw Off Kilter, where, fortified by the aforementioned green beverage, I was bold enough to go up for a picture with the bekilted musicians!

So that covers most of the highlights of my Princess experience! I left out the expo because...I just didn't take any pictures of it, but they had glitter stations as you entered, and I actually got glitter sprinkled on me - the girl said "Make a wish!" And I said "I wish to be really, really fast!" And she said her little bibbetty bobbetty boo chant and then "Nice wish!" There were more glitter stations at the finish line, but I passed, since I'd gotten my wish already (also, sweat + glitter = sweater, I think).

 

[FFigawi]

Great pictures and commentary! Sounds like you and the rest of the cousins and WISHers had a wonderful time.

 

[tiberius]

Jen L - As Corinna said, a few of us got together to buy those shorts/tights for January, not planning on the frigid temps back then.

I love the great photos (especially at the Poly) and it looks like a great time was had by all.

 

[princessbride6205]

Nicole - We are having a mini-WISH meet in Minneapolis during the 1/2 marathon. It Corrina does it we can have a mini-Ohana meet also!!!

I'm looking forward to it!

Hi Everyone!

Minneapolis Half Marathon - I am registered for the Minneapolis Half already. I am also planning on doing the Burnsville Heart of the City Half Marathon the day before so I can be a Saturn Level Half Fanatic. I plan on taking both races relatively easy! Is there a Mpls 1/2 thread on here already? Should I start one?

Jungle Fever tights - I don't say they are the Ohana Uniform exactly - I think Mel, Richard and I are the only ones that got them - we ordered them from Runningfunky.com, but unfortunately, they were clearance fabric. I am not sure they'd be able to get any more. We probably should have gone with the Green Zebra instead as that seems to be a regular staple fabric.

Kathy - I was pretty lucky in the photo department, both in how they turned out and in the fact that they didn't cost me my PR. It could have gone the other way, but I decided that ultimately the photos were worth more to me than a number. Which is not to say I didn't push it hard when I wasn't posing - I did!

Mel - I am also over the cold weather races....actually, I'm not - I have another one this Saturday, but I am definitely over the ones that require waiting around for 2 hours outside in the middle of the night! I can not believe that your DD wants to do another half this weekend!!

Jen - I can't believe that giving a baby a binkie is the qualifying characteristic of a "bad mom" - I know you're a great mom and doing what works for you and your DD is right in line with that!

I have so many race photos - too many to post here. I've put them up on FB and would be glad to send a public link to anyone whether or not you're on FB if you send me a PM. I will post a couple, though. In a separate post, I think!

I don't know if there is a Mpls thread yet, we (meaning you) should definitely start one. Here's a test of my photo posting skills (trying to avoid loading everything into photobucket):

Yay! It worked. That's the Expo.

Here's one of me from the race, more to come later:

 

[jeanneg]

Hello cousins,

Just popping in for a quick hello so you don't forget who I am. I am so sorry, but I am now totally consumed with the 2 weddings. Life is a whirlwind right now. I just got back from MI where the Greek's family gave my daughter a beautiful shower. In 3 weeks I'm going back again for her Chrismation (the ceremony where she will convert to Greek Orthodox) and to celebrate Greek Easter complete with a lamb on the spit! Then it's off to NYC the following weekend where my older daughter is giving her a bachlorette party. After that, a small shower in NC which I am phantom-hosting when she comes back a final time to get the marriage license. We almost have everything under control although I still haven't finalized the flowers and transportation. Once we do that, it's just fun stuff like wedding favors and out-of-town goody bags. Oh, and I got a dress! I wanted to post a link, but it must have gone on clearance right after I bought it, because now I can't find it anymore. In the midst of all that, I am working on the rehearsal dinner arrangements for my son's wedding and did I mention, I willing be doing DCL's 12-night Baltic cruise between the 2 weddings?!? Bad timing, I know, but we figured we could use some down time after the main event and it's all bought and paid for so we may as well enjoy it. Not exactly sure if a cruise to 6 European cities that I've never visited before would be considered down time, but we'll try to get in some much needed R&R. Anyway, THAT'S why you hardly ever hear from me anymore. The good news is that in less than 5 months all this will be completely behind me.

I am obviously not doing any event training, but I am trying to be good with my XT workouts and diet. One-derland is definitely within my reach now. I saw my surgeon today and got my walking papers, so to speak. It was a long haul, but I have now completely healed and the issues I thought I might have had are almost fully resolved and really no big deal. I can genuinely say I am very glad I did it.

I must confess I have not read all the posts so forgive me if I have missed anything earth-shattering. I don't wish to overlook anyone, but wanted to give a shout out to just a few cousins....

Corinna: LOVE all the photos....thank-you so much for posting. I have been so out of the loop i didn't even realize that the Princess Half was last weekend. I wish I could have been there with all of you. And you continue to look amazing!

JenB: congrats on the PR....you rock, lady!

JenL: Your daughter is gorgeous......take care of yourself and get your strength up so you can join us again at events.

Maria: awesome job on the weight loss......I know how much you struggle to lose every pound and applaud your achievement.

Jackie: take care of your injury....I miss you and can't wait to see you in another week.

Kathy: ditto for seeing you and Mike again.

Sandi: hope things are looking up for you....I know you've had some heavy issues to deal with lately.

Deb: glad you made it to WDW for the PH.....why is it you didn't run? Hopefully, not an injury.

Richard: thanks for being our leader and keeping things moving.

Everyone else:

 

[corinnak]

Nicole - your pictures look great! I am so glad you stopped for a pic with the Ariel bilboard! I stopped for 11 photos, but only snapped photos of those boards on the fly. Ariel's was definitely one of the best and you just look so happy to be there! It is also amazing how even the Expo looks extra-pastel-y!

Jeanne - always great to hear from you! It sounds like you're working hard to get through all this wedding stuff - I'm glad you're still going on your cruise and hope you will be able to just relax and enjoy at that point. Too bad we can't see a picture of your dress - maybe someday! What color is it?

Thanks for your kind comments about my photos - I felt a little like maybe I'd gone overboard...I definitely had a much better time than I expected to, and I wasn't expecting to suffer! I did not think I'd ever say this, but I might even want to do the Princess race again in the future. They really did up the course with more bells and whistles than I've ever seen!


As for me - Last night I finally, finally got WW Lifetime membership. It's been 10 years coming, and now it's done. I couldn't go last week because I was running a follow spot for a variety show that night, and I wanted to weigh in with my friend Lysa rather than another meeting.

I also got asked back to run the spot again next month for that variety show. I am still deciding if I want to, but it's sure nice to be asked.

On Tuesday, I went to TRX class. I thought it was fine, but yesterday and today, I felt shin-splinty, a bit. Well, in Fit Club today, we did more TRX and the thing that caused it is this thing where you lean back and balance on your heels. Apparently, it's not a way that I tend to use my legs in real life. Well, recover and strengthen. That is the way it goes. After that, I went to a Water Boot Camp class. It was OK, but I don't think I am in love or anything. I'll probably try it again next week since I'll be over there again for my LAST ridiculous Fit Club class, in which we get re-measured and re-pinched. And then I will know if my body fat is the same or different or whatever, I guess.

I have a 5K on Saturday. It is too soon after racing the Half, for sure. I'm doing it to pace a friend who's lost 75 pounds this year and wants to get a 5K time around 30 minutes, but he runs on a TM, so doesn't know if it's realistic. I don't know if it is realistic for me to run that fast on Saturday either. I think it will be OK. If not, he's on his own!

Have a good night, Cousins! Talk to you soon!

 

[princessbride6205]

Nicole - your pictures look great! I am so glad you stopped for a pic with the Ariel bilboard! I stopped for 11 photos, but only snapped photos of those boards on the fly. Ariel's was definitely one of the best and you just look so happy to be there! It is also amazing how even the Expo looks extra-pastel-y!

Thanks for your kind comments about my photos - I felt a little like maybe I'd gone overboard...I definitely had a much better time than I expected to, and I wasn't expecting to suffer! I did not think I'd ever say this, but I might even want to do the Princess race again in the future. They really did up the course with more bells and whistles than I've ever seen!

As for me - Last night I finally, finally got WW Lifetime membership. It's been 10 years coming, and now it's done. I couldn't go last week because I was running a follow spot for a variety show that night, and I wanted to weigh in with my friend Lysa rather than another meeting.

I also got asked back to run the spot again next month for that variety show. I am still deciding if I want to, but it's sure nice to be asked.

Congrats on your lifetime membership and being asked to run the spot again.
I know I look crazy happy in a lot of my photos. I'm not kidding in my signature line - I smiled the whole time. And the first 4 miles or so especially, I was on the most giddy runner's high!

I haven't really exercised since the race. I did some strength training last night. I'm itching to get back to the gym, but my feet are still a little sore from Sunday, so I don't want to push it. I'm thinking I might need to get insoles or orthotics or something.

 

[corinnak]

Congrats on your lifetime membership and being asked to run the spot again.
I know I look crazy happy in a lot of my photos. I'm not kidding in my signature line - I smiled the whole time. And the first 4 miles or so especially, I was on the most giddy runner's high!

I haven't really exercised since the race. I did some strength training last night. I'm itching to get back to the gym, but my feet are still a little sore from Sunday, so I don't want to push it. I'm thinking I might need to get insoles or orthotics or something.

Nicole - Definitely take it easy - don't feel any pressure to start back in before you are ready. Definitely give your feet time to heal. I can't rule out a need for insoles or orthotics, but truly, you asked a lot of your feet last weekend - more than ever before, and it makes sense they'd still be recovering from it!

It's so cool that you smiled the whole way - I can't actually say the same about this race, but it really was a pretty euphoric kind of experience. I could not believe how fast the first 8 miles or so went by - just so much fun stuff on the course, not the least of which were the other runners!

 

[princessbride6205]

Hi all!
I'm happy to report that my foot is better. It only took a week to completely go away. I got outside on our gorgeous day to briskly walk for 45 minutes. I threw in just a few minutes of jogging.

Shoe dilemma - aka the tale of 3 shoes...
My half marathon training up to 6 mi was done in a pair of Asics trail runners, which I got cheap at a discount footwear store. I didn't have any problems to speak of. But they were starting to get worn out and it had been 7 years since I'd been professionally fitted for sheos. I went to the local running shop, said I preferred Asics, and then walked for the shop guy to assess my gait. He said my left foot pronates and the right foot stays on the outside (i.e. does not pronate). I always thought both feet didn't pronate, but I guess things had changed. He recommended two different Asics: one a stability and the other light stability. I ran on the store treadmill and felt like I was running too much on the outside of my feet, which I told the guy and he watched me again. He thought I just needed to get used to the stability not letting my left foot roll in. I'm new to running shoes so I trusted his opinion. Anyway, I knew the merits of alternating 2 shoes and they were having a sale so I bought both. I was concerned about breaking in the shoes before the Princess (I way overestimated the time needed), so I only wore the light stability shoe for awhile. I wore that one in the Princess and felt good. I got a little knot in my left arch at ~ mile 10. It wasn't bad and a little massage after the race worked it out. Then several hours after the race all of a sudden I had pain on the outside of my right foot. I'm blaming that a little on the shoes, but it could just be that ya know, I did my first half.
I put on the old trail runners for a walk today - they felt great (for the first 2 miles - but they are worn out and not suitable for exercise anymore). I never did more than 6 miles in them, though, so I don't know if I'd be happy with them for distance.
So the 3rd pair of shoes is the new stability shoe I also bought. It has much less cushioning than the other two. I've worn them for one workout. I tried them on again this week and don't like them at all. I thought about returning them, but it's past the 30 day return, I don't have the box, and I've used them.
Lesson learned: don't buy shoes you don't like at the store. They don't get better from breaking in.

Question for you guys - now what do I do? Do I get cushioned inserts for the stability shoe? Do I blame the outer foot pain on needing more of a cushioned shoe for the underpronator? Do I buy another pair of the cheap Asics trail runners?

 

[tiberius]

Happy Monday Team!!!

I hope everyone is adjusting to Daylight Savings Time better than I am, as I sluggishly get through a busy, busy Monday. Why did I ever let me Operations Manager go on vacation this busy week so I have to do his job as well as mine? Although my life has been overly stressful of late, I have still managed to stay with the diet and exercise programs...somehow...through this period. While I have constantly been up and down over the last year, it is still more down than up and I am back to my lowest point since 2003.

Nicole - I love that photo in front of the mile marker.

Corinna - Congratulations on the lifetime membership, I know you worked hard for that and you deserve it.

Jeanne - That is quite the whirlwind of events for you! I hope you can find the time to enjoy the events as you go through them.

 

[corinnak]

Hi Nicole - tough question on the shoes. First off, I am going to say, maybe get a second opinion on the pronating vs. not pronating. Maybe that guy was wrong. Then if it's feasible, I'd say try on a lot of different shoes - some models probably won't feel good at all, some just OK and hopefully you will find at least one that makes you smile.

If you can find another pair of trail runners that feel like the ones you love, I'd fully support you in just going with that, too. Not that I'm by any means a shoe expert! But if you have feet where one is a slight over pronator and the other is a slight underpronator, if you correct in either direction, I am thinking you might run into more difficulties.

Richard - congratulations on your lowest weight since 2003! Fantastic! If it is any consolation, I am also struggling with the DST shift. Woke up this morning at 7am. It felt like 6. I had forgotten to set the alarm, so I was lucky I didn't sleep any later! As it was, it was a scramble to get everyone out of the house with lunches and projects and everything. We can enjoy the extra light this evening, at least.

As for the lifetime membership, It's not something I really was really striving for - more like a nice little bonus at this point, I guess.

I am working really hard on getting the scenery painted for Suburb now. I ran a 5K on Saturday (before all the painting started) with a friend who has lost about 75 pounds this year and wanted to beat his previous 5K time of 39 minutes and run the whole thing without a walk break. I told him I shouldn't race so soon after the half, so I'd pace him on that - he was hoping for 30 minutes! It was a pretty fun race - lots of people in costumes and my WISH Green fit in beautifully for a change!

We started off a little farther back that we maybe should have - it was a slow, choppy start. Then I told Gary to weave if he needed to - I'd be right behind him. Well, he went for it and we blasted out the first mile in 9:33. The second and third miles were tougher for him and we slowed down quite a bit at times - he even had a calf cramp that he gutzed his way through, even though I offered to stop to stretch. I was really comfortable the second 2 miles as we were running 10 m/m or a little over. Gary was really working hard though. In the end, we finished in about 31:25 - no chip timing. He was thrilled and said he couldn't have done it without me. I denied it, but I do know that there is something about running with someone else that helps you keep going when it gets tough.

I posted the pictures on Facebook if anyone is interested and hasn't seen them yet:

http://www.facebook.com/?sk=media#!/album.php?aid=162620&id=614837720

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Afternoon, Cousins!

Every once in awhile I find out something other people might find interesting...Katee Sackhoff is shooting a pilot for ABC about two female detectives, tentatively called, "Boston's Finest". I don't know if it will ever make the air, but they're shooting in a few weeks. My dh aka Dennis, did the leasing agreement for the area they want to use, and the person he dealt with was throwing around her name. My dh was not impressed (he doesn't know who anyone is), but I sure was!

Corinna -- Congratulations on earning your Lifetime Membership from WW! That is a huge accomplishment -- I know you did most of the work out of meetings, but you followed your plan and you succeeded fantastically!

Richard -- DLS is so hard for me! Every year I say I'm going to stay home and adjust, and every year I have to go to work... Hang in there, we will feel better before long.

Nicole -- I don't really have shoe advice, other than if it doesn't feel good in the store, it won't at home, either.

Jeanne -- I think a cruise between the weddings sounds fabulous, and very timely! And the Baltic sounds so romantic!

Thanks for posting all the fabulous photos! I am so envious, now I may have to convince dh I need a solo trip for the Princess next year!

Ok, everyone have a great week! to all the other cousins!

Maria

 

[sissy_42]

Well hello! I was told to come over here and introduce myself. I'm Mandy and I'm new to the DISboards. I'm 28 this week, I'm in the military,stationed in Omaha Nebraska and have a great BF who unfortunately lives too far away from me. I do run several times a week, but usually only a mile or two. I lost 45 pounds to get in the Air Force but ended up gaining 35 of it back. I finally decided enough was enough and ordered nutrisystem just after the first of the year. So far I have lost 14 pounds, am feeling great and am down a pants size. I have so much more energy now and I really want to do something with it. I stumbled upon the WISH boards and decided it was the place for me! I have seen all these great post about the different running events that so many people are taking part in and I want to get in on that fun! What first caught my eye was all the posts about the princess half last week. I thought "I wanna do that!" Then I realized "I CAN do that!" So this past week I started to run a little faster and further. I know I have a LONG way to go but that is my goal for the next year-to finish a half marathon. Well I also realized I cant do it all by myself. My BF is great a supporter and thinks my new found passion for running and my health is great. (he is also in the military and has struggled with his weight) I am really looking forward to getting to know all of you and sharing stories of success (hopefully none of failure) and maybe meeting a few in person at an event. Thanks for reading!

 

[corinnak]

Welcome Mandy!!! First of all, than you for your service to our country. We appreciate how hard you work and all that you do for us.

It's always great to have a new Cousin on our thread! Great job on your weight loss so far - weight makes a huge difference in speed and ease of running, so I'm sure you'll continue to enjoy the benefits of your weight loss.

I used to live in Nebraska for a few years, once upon a time (OK, like 1982) - in Fremont, which is not TOO far from Omaha, I think, but not the kind of place that you leave the city to go and visit. I loved the Zoo in Omaha so much and my uncle actually used to work there! My dad grew up in Sioux City and actually lives there still, so sometimes I still get over to that part of the world.

We do definitely share our stories of success - there haven't been too many stories of out and out failure, but sometimes we do share disappointments. I read a story about a school where they were having a terrible time getting the kids to pass and they went from an A-F system to a system where there were only these grades: A, B, C and Not Yet, so that theres no such thing as failure, there's only not succeeding yet.

You can definitely finish a half marathon - and being part of the WISH team (and frankly the Ohana group as well, though I am biased) is one of the most fun ways to run a race anywhere.

I look forward to getting to know you better!



Maria! - Thanks so much. I have to say, I will enjoy not paying for any more meetings, since I am not that much a fan in the first place. I am still on the hook for the e-tools. So it goes.

I have to admit, I don't know who that actress is either, but how cool that your DH is involved in a way. Cool title as well.

I am 100% in favor of you doing a Solo trip for the Princess Half next year. Of course you don't have to convince me! I think I might have said that this would be the only time I did this one, but I should know better than to never say never. I must admit, Disney made it well worth the trip!

Thanks

 

[MouseDogMom]

Mandy - I stumbled onto the WISH boards in 2006 (well, I was pulled onto the WISH boards by Lily) and never left. It's the reason I'm still running, absolutely. Great job on your weight loss so far. Take it one step at a time and don't try to do too much. There's also a weight loss thread if you're interested (a lot of the 'Ohana members are over there as well) http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2346977

Nicole - You may not want to hear this, but my suggestion would be to try something other than Asics, just to see. When I started running I only wore New Balance, and I was sure they were the only thing I wanted to wear. I've been fitted by two different running stores, and never worn another pair of NB. Prior to running, I HATED Nike, and they were the first pair of running shoes that I truly, truly loved. And I second Corinna's advice about getting a second opinion. If there's another running store, let them do a fit. If not, go back to the same store when someone else is working. And it may not hurt to ask if they'll take the shoes back.
And by the way, your pictures are fabulous! It's obvious that you had a wonderful time during the race! My pictures at the end of the Richmond marathon are like that - unfortunately, I was miserable for about 10 miles prior to that, but as I got to the last couple of miles, I was absolutely giddy and the pictures showed it.

Corinna - Love your photos too. Made me envious that I wasn't there! I'm also jealous that you got to see Off Kilter. I meant to see them in January, but somehow never did. Great job running the 5K with Gary. It really does help to have someone there to help pull you through the tough times. I still question whether I would have finished the full during the Goofy if DH hadn't been there to pull me through when the cramps started and I was truly miserable. How he survived my whiny moments, I'll never know!

Jeanne - WOW! We'll talk on Sunday!

Getting back to running after taking last week off to rehab my leg. It must have worked, since I was able to run Saturday without any problems. Ran last night, and will probably get in one or two more short runs before Sunday's half. Am having dinner Saturday night with the WISHers who're in town for the race, so that should be a fun evening. I don't have any real goal for this half - all my training was geared toward the Myrtle Beach half, and after it was cancelled, I lost all focus. I'm not at all sure that this course is a PR kind of course, so I'm just going to run and not worry about time. (I say that now - ask me again Sunday afternoon when I'm kicking myself!)

Jackie